Friday, December 03, 2010

Doing the Leg Work

Alright, alright, alright. Here we are, San Francisco, CA for The North Face Enducance Challenge Championships. If you are reading this blog on Friday then you are way too geeked out on the ultrarunning scene, and there are a lot of you. None however has dropped in more than Bryon Powell over at irunfar.com.

He'll be tracking the race tomorrow as media liason for the TNF and more than likely a number of other running companies. He's done some great pre-race interviews over on his website so check that out as well. Ashland is respresented WELL at this years race and it is going to be arguably the most competitive ultra (male/female) on US soil ever.

I ran on the course a couple of times this week and it's not as fast as previous years, but there have been a few changes or reroutes that may make up for lost time. There's considerable mud out there and a high probability for rain tonight and tomorrow. the pack should stay bunched for 20 miles and then it's anybodies guess. HA!

I however, have been laying low, in the city by the bay - thank you John Denver, trying my best to ignore the hype surrounding the event. An OR photoshoot for The North Face on Tuesday was followed up by an amazing trip to the House of Air in the Presidio. Some acrobatics with the TNF action sports team, had the owner of the place (a former TNF product manager) exclaiming, " these guys don't have to follow the rules," We followed with a sprightly game of dodge ball in which the endurance runner was able to show off some of his skills.

take it easy on the plantar.

Only for the big boys and girls.

Yesterday I headed over to San Leadro, the North Faces world headquarters for an athlete summit of the design variety. I was joined by fellow teammates Jez Bragg, Lizzy Hawker and new addition Rory Bosio. We looked at the Spring and Fall 2012 lines and I must say this company has come a long way in 4 years. After which, I am now gonna taking a page from wikileaks, I was privy to a showing of an 8.5 oz branded trail shoe that will keep me grinning all of 2011.

So now we wait until the alarm rings at 3am tomorrow morning. Off to the headlands and another amazing race, can we wait another 24 to see who the champs are?